Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-09
CAPT. BLACkFORD DROPS DEAD.
His sudden Death In tue street shis
Mo-ntnx-A Curious I.itcase Csnap.i.
cation.

Capt s. 9. Blackboard formerly OF the Capitol
police, and more recently OF the Agricultural
Department dropped dead In front OF Oats hour
ana feed establishment, Indiana avenue and LIST
Street, about 1890 O'Clock this morning. The
body was removed 10 his late residence. corner of
LIST and Massachusetts, avenue, In the sixth pre-
cinct patro wagon. Friends who met Capt Black
lord on the street during the morning ssy ne ap-
peared 10 be In his usual health. larry tins
morning he had an interview with Commissioners
Webb at the District building. about the applica-
tlon Tor liquor license OF John Brosaan. of No.
2ol q street northwest Capt Blackfoyi has been
actively engaged In opposing the issuing OF
licenses 10 saloons In the neiyhoorhood OF his resi-
aencs, ana MS can upon the Commissioner to-day
was Tor the purpose OF protesting against Bros
mans Application for license being granted. This
Incense has been suspended Tor three days In order
that Capt Blackford might nle certain evidence
which he desired 10 produce. He asked Commits
sloner Webb THIS morning 10 hold the case up TN
ii O'Clock to-day. when he would certainly Dc able
10 bring his witnesses Al IL O'Clock the news OF
his sudden death was conveyed TO the Commas
sioner by Mr.. Brosnan, the saloon keeper.
service during the war, in which he lost one arm.
He settled here with his family about the close OF
the wal, and Tor some years was captain OF the
nected with the Agricultural Department, where
he was employed at the time OF his death lie
leaves a widow and one daughter, his only son
having been Killed some two years since.
THE BRosSAS LICENSE.
At ten minutes after IL O'Clock the Commission
ers approved Brosnan's application for Q liquor
license, and q license was Immediately issued
Not long after this had been done young man
calel upon Commissioner wheatley and asked
HIM what had been done in Brosnan's case. When
told that q License had been issued the young man
said: slow unfortunate" Then he proceeded 10
tell the Commissioner that at the time OF Capt
Backfords death he had an ailidavit In his pocket
from one OF the Signers OF the application With
drawing his signature, which he was bringing 70
the Commissioners. Mr.. wheatley remarked that
IL was the most singular case that had ever been
brought to his attention, but informed the
SS od psen an granted Se oommissiepers are
the case or revoke their action. As the young
man started 10 leave the office three young ladies
entered hurriedly and handed 10 Commissioner
Wheatley paper which they said was the AMI
| davit. They said that when the body ot Capt:
Blackf0rd had been carried home Tie widow had
taken the paper from the cont and handed II ~
them with the request that they hurry with II 20
the Commissioners office, as the captain had told
her lust before he LETT home that ..he Intended
| ngnt this case II he died for it," When MI.
Wheatley rel Grated his statement that nothing
lady, burst into tears ana said: ..The more see OF
men tue more like dogs" They sad that there
are four saloons on @ street within a distance OF
one square, and that drunken brawls In them aie
OF almost daily occurrence Failing 20 receive .
| satisfactory Response they departed in tears
Commissioner Webb returned to the Office soon
afterward and had long talk with Messrs. Lud-
| low and Wheatley about the matter. Mr.. Webb
told STAR reporter That the Commissioners could
not revoke the license, even IN view OF all tne cir
cumstances; that IL was unfortunate, and no one
regretted its termination more than he. He SAID
that on Captain Blackfords representations he had
several times suspended action In the case, and
this morning the captain said that II he did not re-
turn by a quarter OF IL, uhereabouts, Win the
withdrawal OF one OF the signers' signatures 10 70
ahead ana issue the license. Mr.. Webb said that
when the time expired he did not know of Captain
Blackfords death, or that he had the AFFIDAVIT de
scriDed. Had he lived long enough 20 have W lAeo
| a distance OF about 80 feet, and presented the
paper TO the Commissioners the license would
not have been issued
Commissioner Webb late this afternoon said that
II an application for reconsideration were made
the Commissioners would receive IL and TAKE ad-
vice upon IL.